Director of Manufacturing Operations

US Secretary of Energy, Jennifer Granholm said, “With what Virginia Transformer is doing, they are at the center of how we’re going to build out the backbone of our clean energy future.”

Virginia Transformer and Georgia Transformer Corp., is “the engineering firm that makes transformers.”

We are the largest US-owned manufacturer of electric transformers in North America and have been helping to secure the reliability and resilience of our country’s electric grid for more than 50 years. We produce power transformers for any conceivable application – GSU, substations, auto-transformers, grounding transformers, drive duty, rectifier, exciter, voltage regulator, and other.

The company is experiencing steady and sustained growth and serves every part of US industry from its six state-of-the-art North American facilities.

We are actively looking for individuals who want to be part of a high-growth company and who want to share in the pride we have in ensuring American manufacturing continues to flourish. Without reliable power, manufacturing cannot operate. That is where we – and you – come in. Join us.

Position: Director of Operations Manufacturing

Location: Roanoke, VA

Travel: 40-50% travel required to other U.S. locations

Relocation: Full relocation package and competitive salary offered

Summary

The Operations Director will provide strategic and operational leadership across three U.S. manufacturing plants, focusing on the efficient management of all plant functions, including manufacturing engineering, production, materials management, and employee engagement. This role requires hands-on oversight of plant operations, with a strong emphasis on optimizing production processes, ensuring supply chain coordination, and maintaining safety and quality standards in a fast-paced, custom manufacturing environment. The successful candidate will drive operational excellence, improve efficiency, and foster a culture of continuous improvement across all facilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support manufacturing operations across all three U.S. plants, working closely with the Senior Vice President to align operational strategies with business goals.
• Oversee and ensure efficient execution of production plans, managing plant loading, production schedules, and delivery timelines to meet customer commitments.
• Collaborate with sales and project teams to ensure that customer requirements are met, driving coordination between inventory, production, and order fulfillment.
• Manage plant personnel, ensuring staffing levels are adequate, and training programs are implemented to support operational needs.
• Oversee supply chain and materials management teams to monitor material availability, inventory levels, and ensure smooth operation and timely production.
• Drive process improvements in production, equipment reliability, and maintenance schedules to maximize productivity while minimizing downtime.
• Foster a safe and organized work environment, ensuring compliance with safety regulations and maintaining housekeeping standards on the shop floor.
• Oversee process controls, ensuring adherence to production quality standards and shipping process efficiency, including handling of heavy hauls.
• Implement best practices to enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, and increase plant profitability.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 20 years of experience in plant operations, with a focus on manufacturing environments.
• At least 5 years of senior management experience in an assembly manufacturing environment, preferably in custom manufacturing.
• Proven ability to lead multi-plant operations, drive process improvements, and manage cross-functional teams across diverse locations.
• Strong leadership skills with a focus on safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Willingness to relocate to Roanoke, VA, with extensive travel to other U.S. plants (40-50%).